From Nursery Practitioner to Nanny: Making the Transition
For many childcare professionals, working in a nursery is where their career begins. It’s where you learn the foundations of early years care, safeguarding, development, routines, and teamwork. But after a few years in a busy nursery environment, some practitioners start wondering what it might be like to work in a home setting instead.
Moving from nursery work into a nanny role is a very natural progression. Many of the skills you already use every day transfer directly into nannying. The main difference is the setting and the level of responsibility.
Here’s what that transition really looks like.
Why Some Nursery Practitioners Choose to Become Nannies
Nursery work can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be stifling and full of paperwork with limited career progression.
Nannying offers a different style of childcare.
Instead of caring for a group of children in a structured setting, you are focused on one family, able to plan your days how you see fit. Many practitioners enjoy the chance to slow things down a little and build deeper relationships with the children they care for.
Some of the reasons nursery staff consider nannying include:
Smaller group sizes and more one-to-one care
The ability to plan activities around individual children
More autonomy during the day
Often higher pay compared to nursery roles
A calmer environment compared to busy nursery rooms
It is still hard work, and your days may be busy, but the pace and structure are very different.
The Skills You Already Have
One of the biggest misconceptions is that nursery practitioners need to “start again” to become a nanny. In reality, most already have an excellent foundation.
If you have experience in a nursery, you are likely already skilled in:
Understanding child development
Planning engaging activities
Managing routines
Supporting behaviour positively
Communicating with parents
Safeguarding and risk awareness
Working with children of different ages
These are exactly the skills families are looking for.
The key is simply presenting your experience in a way that translates well to a home environment.
For example, instead of describing yourself as responsible for a room of twelve toddlers, you might highlight your experience supporting toilet training, planning sensory activities, managing daily routines, and building relationships with families.
What Is Different About Being a Nanny
While the childcare skills transfer easily, nannying does come with a few differences that are worth understanding before making the move.
Working independently
In a nursery, you are always surrounded by colleagues. As a nanny, you are often working alone for most of the day. Some people love the independence, others miss the team environment. You can often find local Facebook groups to meet other nannies or attend children's classes and playgroups to find friends.
Family dynamics
You become part of a household rather than part of a workplace. Communication with parents is key to ensure a positive working environment where everyone feels supported and understood, and avoid conflict.
Household responsibilities
Many nanny roles include child related tasks such as preparing meals, children’s laundry, keeping play areas tidy, and organising school bags or activities.
This isn’t the same as nursery cleaning duties, but it does require organisation and a willingness to muck in. Ensure your contract is clear on the responsibilities you are happy to provide.
Professional boundaries
Working in someone’s home means maintaining clear professional boundaries while still forming a warm relationship with the family.
How to Make Your CV Appeal to Families
One of the biggest challenges nursery practitioners face when moving into nannying is translating nursery experience into something families understand.
Parents are usually less interested in nursery terminology and more interested in how you will care for their child day to day.
Your CV should focus on things like:
Age groups you have worked with
Activities you plan and enjoy
Experience supporting routines such as sleep, feeding, or toilet training
Communication with parents
Safeguarding awareness
Creating a calm and stimulating environment
It’s also helpful to highlight qualities families value in a nanny, such as reliability, warmth, patience, and initiative.
Do You Need Extra Qualifications?
Usually not.
Most families are happy to hire a nanny with a Level 2 or Level 3 childcare qualification and solid experience with children.
What matters more is your ability to demonstrate confidence in caring for children independently.
Having an up to date Paediatric First Aid certificate and a clear DBS check are also necessary.
Is Nannying the Right Move?
For some nursery practitioners, nannying is a perfect next step. For others, they realise they prefer the team environment and structure of nursery work.
Neither option is better or worse. They are simply different styles of childcare.
If you enjoy building strong relationships with families, planning your own days, and working more independently, nannying can be a very rewarding career path.
Next Steps
Think nannying is the career for you? Check out my guide for first-time nannies here.
Need some help writing your CV? Let me write it for you.
Wondering how to handle nanny job interviews? Here’s an article on common nanny interview questions and how best to answer them.
Would you rather have some more in depth support? Book a 45 or 90-minute coaching session here.